SOME POPULAR PERENNIALS 63 



Paeonies average from 1^-3 & ft. in height. There is 

 a good range of colour to choose from pink, purple, rose, 

 crimson, white, or yellow. The double sorts are splendid. 

 The flowering period is from May to July. 

 Good Varieties. 



The number of varieties is so great and the good points 

 of each are so numerous that I must leave it to my reader 

 to refer to some good hardy plant catalogues and make his 

 own choice. 



Pansy : The Pansy has been somewhat neglected of 

 late on account of the introduction of the Viola. But the 

 real large Pansy is infinitely better than some of the violas 

 now on the market. Still there are very definite reasons 

 why the Viola is so popular. The Viola is almost perpetual 

 flowering, it starts in April, and if the dead flowers are cut 

 off it never ceases till October. Moreover, Violas do not 

 become leggy and unmanageable. This cannot be said 

 of Pansies. Pansies cease blooming in the late summer, 

 having by that time become very leggy and ugly. They 

 must then be cut down and well watered to obtain cuttings. 

 (Violas need no such treatment.) Cuttings of Pansies are 

 formed in September and October and may then be inserted 

 in sandy soil in a frame. They will strike readily and 

 can be planted out the following spring. After taking 

 cuttings in the summer, the old plants should be thrown 

 away ; on the other hand violas can be replanted and will 

 do another year or probably two. 



Pansies and violas may also be easily raised from seed. 

 Sow in shallow pans in June. Prick off when large enough, 

 and in cold districts lift the seedlings in October to winter 

 in a cold frame, planting out permanently in the following 

 March. Otherwise transfer in October to their flowering 

 quarters in well cultivated soil. 



Good Varieties. 



No selection of varieties of Pansies and Violas can be 

 given because named sorts are so numerous and so good. 

 Many firms specialise in these plants, so the reader should 

 send for lists and make his own choice. All pansies and 



